Founding KISS guitarist and 2014 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Ace Frehley has tapped long time friend and artist Ken Kelly to create the album cover for his upcoming LP Space Invader, due out July 8th. Kelly, who created the iconic cover art for two of KISS’s best selling LPS, Destroyer (1976) and Love Gun (1977), says, “It was very exciting when I was approached with the idea of doing an album cover for Ace.”
Ken Kelly is also widely known for his paintings in the sword and sorcery and heroic fantasy sub genres, most notably for the Conan the Barbarian novels. He continues, “I had spoken to Ace on a few occasions about the possibility, so I was delighted when it actually happened.”
Ace Frehley himself comments, ”I’ve been talking with Ken Kelly since 2007 about painting a CD Cover for me and it has finally happened! I couldn’t be more excited about the new Space Invader cover and the music behind it is also going to rock your world!”
With nearly 35 years between projects, KISS fans will surely be excited about this long-time duo working together again. Kelly concludes, “I am very pleased with the results and proud to play a part of Ace’s continuing successful career.”
Ace Frehley will release Space Invader, his first new solo album in five years, via Entertainment One Music (eOne Music) on July 8th, 2014. The album will include at least nine brand new original songs as well as a cover of Steve Miller’s The Joker. This album is the first release under Frehley’s new universal deal on eOne Music.
Widely known as the original “Space Ace” and founding guitarist for 16 cumulative years (over 2 tenures) of the multi platinum selling rock band KISS, Frehley is demonstrably the most popular original member. In addition to having the best selling solo album career (vintage or current) among the original foursome, Frehley’s self titled Ace Frehley, released in 1978, went on to sell over one million copies, producing the only Top 40 single, “New York Groove,” from any of the legendary KISS solo albums; (peaking at #13). The massive hit was most recently featured in an episode of cult show Entourage and was also KISS’ second best selling download in 2012, besting such KISS Army anthems as I Was Made For Lovin’ You, Beth and Calling Dr. Love even after 36 years.
Since departing from KISS, Frehley went on to release four more solo albums and one live EP including his most recent effort, Anomaly in 2009, which debuted at #27 on the Billboard Top 200 chart and received a welcoming response among critics.
You can catch Ace Frehley accepting his award at the 29th annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction Ceremony on May 31st at 8pm on HBO.
34 Responses
I personally loved insane I thought as a guitar player myself from a guitar point of view it was like hard times and snow blind mixtures in it. I dont bash him as all bands have both good n bad but one thing for sure is he has a very unique style n sound and he is what made me pick up the guitar when I ws s 6 and been a fan ever since. I can’t wait to hear it and yeah I will be one that actually buys it and won’t be downloading it. Congrats to ace
I saw him live a few years ago. He did nothing from the Comet albums or Trouble Walkin. It was all 78 solo, Anomaly and Kiss songs. He didn’t even play Rock Soldiers ?! I was kind of disappointed by the set list.
Very cool. It has a nice “vintage” look to it. Hope its recorded in analog!
don’t really care that much about the artwork, it’s what’s on the inside that counts! the music, that’s what’s most important. ace & his guitar, just being himself, even WITHOUT the makeup ace is still the spaceman, something tommy thayer can’t say!
Awesome cover, really cool. Can’t wait to listen to the CD….Amen, ACE IS BACK…..Joe in The Cuse.